Quick Links

tools & materials  T R A D E S H OW Manufacturers unveil new tools in Las Vegas I f you want to know what it’s like to fly too close to the sun, visit Las Vegas in summer. Several Fine Woodworking editors learned firsthand about triple-digit thermometer readings after arriving in that desert city in mid-July, as afternoon temperatures topped out at 108ºF. Thankfully, many Las Vegas attractions are inside, where air conditioners work 24/7 to keep everyone comfortable. We were there to attend the biennial fair of the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS), held at the Las Vegas Convention Center July 17–20. During the four-day show, more than 30,000 members of the woodworking trade walked the 476,000 sq. ft. of floor space to visit over 900 exhibitors. Many manufacturers use the AWFS fair as a venue to introduce new tools. So for anyone with sawdust in their DNA, this was the place to be, with cool new tools making you forget how scorching it was outside. Here’s a sampling of what we saw. SAWSTOP CONTRACTOR’S SAW ON THE HORIZON Three years after introducing the company’s novel cabinet saw, Steve Gass, president of SawStop, said he’s hoping to have a contractor’s ly 2008. ols & materials  T R A D E S H OW Manufacturers unveil new tools in Las Vegas I f you want to know what it’s like to fly too close to the sun, visit Las Vegas in summer. Several Fine Woodworking editors learned firsthand about triple-digit thermometer readings after arriving in that desert city in mid-July, as afternoon temperatures topped out at 108ºF. Thankfully, many Las Vegas attractions are inside, where air conditioners work 24/7 to keep everyone comfortable. We were there to attend the biennial fair of the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS), held at the Las Vegas Convention Center July 17–20. During the four-day show, more than 30,000 members of the woodworking trade walked the 476,000 sq. ft. of floor space to visit over 900 exhibitors. Many manufacturers use the AWFS fair as a venue to introduce new tools. So for anyone with sawdust in their DNA, this was the place to be, with cool new tools making you forget how scorching it was outside. Here’s a sampling of what we saw. SAWSTOP CONTRACTOR’S SAW ON THE HORIZON Three years after introducing the company’s novel cabinet saw, Steve Gass, president of SawStop, said he’s hoping to have a contractor’s ly 2008.   F I N I S H I N G Great brushes for shellac, lacquer, and varnish I recently used Gramercy and nitrocellulo en x d bu Tools’ new finishing brushes to apply shellac, varnish, and nitrocellulose lacquer. The results were outstanding. The delicate ox-hair bristles are densely bunched and en coat of finish with every stroke. They’re xy and tied to the unfinished wood handle with a stainless-steel ferrule. tools & m tools & m tools & m tools & m tools & m ols & materials  T R A D E S H OW Manufacturers unv terials  T R A D E S H OW Manufacturers unveil new tools in Las Vegas I f you want to know what it’s like to fly too close to the sun, visit Las Vegas in summer. Several Fine Woodworking editors learned firsthand about triple-digit thermometer readings after arriving in that desert city in mid-July, as afternoon temperatures topped out at 108ºF. Thankfully, many Las Vegas attractions are inside, where air conditioners work 24/7 to keep everyone comfortable. We were there to attend the biennial fair of the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS), held at the Las Vegas Convention Center July 17–20. During the four-day show, more than 30,000 members of the woodworking trade walked the 476,000 sq. ft. of floor space to visit over 900 exhibitors. Many manufacturers use the AWFS fair as a venue to introduce new tools. So for anyone with sawdust in their DNA, this was the place to be, with cool new tools making you forget how scorching it was outside. Here’s a sampling of what we saw. SAWSTOP CONTRACTOR’S SAW ON THE HORIZON Three years after introducing the company’s novel cabinet saw, Steve Gass, president of SawStop, said he’s hoping to have a contractor’s ly 2008.  F I N I S H I N G Great brushes for shellac, lacquer, and varnish I recently used Gramercy and nitrocellulo en x d bu Tools’ new finishing brushes to apply shellac, varnish, and nitrocellulose lacquer. The results were outstanding. The delicate ox-hair bristles are densely bunched and en coat of finish with every stroke. They’re xy and tied to the unfinished wood han- dle with a stainless-steel ferrule. remarkable remarkable SawStop tools & m tools & m tools & m tools & m tools & m & materials  T R A D E S H OW Manufacturers unveil new tools in L ls & materials  T R A D E S H OW Manufacturers unveil new tools in Las Vegas I f you want to know what it’s like to fly too close to the sun, visit Las Vegas in summer. Several Fine Woodworking editors learned firsthand about triple-digit thermometer readings after arriving in that desert city in mid-July, as afternoon temperatures topped out at 108ºF. Thankfully, many Las Vegas attractions are inside, where air conditioners work 24/7 to keep everyone comfortable. We were there to attend the biennial fair of the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS), held at the Las Vegas Convention Center July 17–20. During the four-day show, more than 30,000 members of the woodworking trade walked the 476,000 sq. ft. of floor space to visit over 900 exhibitors. Many manufacturers use the AWFS fair as a venue to introduce new tools. So for anyone with sawdust in their DNA, this was the place to be, with cool new tools making you forget how scorching it was outside. Here’s a sampling of what we saw. SAWSTOP CONTRACTOR’S SAW ON THE HORIZON Three years after introducing the company’s novel cabinet saw, Steve Gass, president of SawStop, said he’s hoping to have a contractor’s ly 2008.  F I N I S H I N G Great brushes for shellac, lacquer, and varnish I recently used Gramercy and nitrocellulo en x d bu Tools’ new finishing brushes to apply shellac, varnish, and nitrocellulose lacquer. The results were outstanding. The delicate ox-hair bristles are densely bunched and en coat of finish with every stroke. They’re xy and tied to the unfinished wood han- dle with a stainless-steel ferrule. remarkable SawStop but but at this point it’ targeted at $1,500. For more information, check out www.sawstop.com. 22 F I N E WO O DWO R K I N G (continued on page 24) Finishing brushes work great. Gramercy Tools now offers ox-hair-bristle brushes that finish beautifully. Photos, except where noted: Tom Begnal; Michael Pekovich (top); Courtesy of SawStop (left) Like all good tools, they aren’t cheap but they’ll last for years with proper care. The 1-in., 2-in., and 3-in. sizes sell for $20, $35, and $55 each. To order, go to www. toolsf The tools orworkingwood.com. —Bill Duckworth writes and works wood in Woodbury, Conn.